Needle positioner for a sewing machine



May 14 1968 R. w. WINBr-:RG $382,829

NEEDLE POSITIONER FOR A SEWING MACHINE Filed Dec. 2, 1964 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG. l.

May 14, 1958 R. w. WIBERG 3,382,829

NEEDLE POSITIONER FOR A SEWING MACHINE Filed Dec. 2, 1964 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG.

INVENTOK PAG/VAK? W y/A/f/QG May 14, 1968 Filed Dec. 2, 1964 R. w. WINBERG 3,382,829

NEEDLE POSITIONER FOR A SEWING MACHINE 4 Sheets-SheetI 5 INVENTOR.

May 14 1968 R. w. wlNBERG 3,382,829

NEEDLE POSITIONER FOR A SEWING MACHINE Filed Dec. 2, 1964 4'Sheets-Sheet 4 BY WH /z ggzz.

United States Patent O 3,382,829 NEEDLE POSITIONER FOR A SEWING MACHINE Ragnar W. Winberg, 115 W. Elder Ave., Floral Park, N.Y. 11001 Filed Dec. 2, 1964, Ser. No. 415,267 6 Claims. (Cl. 112-219) The present invention relates generally to accessory mechanisms for a sewing machine, and in particular to a needle positioner for use in conjunction with a sewing machine for achieving a desirable known oriented position of the needle relative to the work being sewn during intervals between stitching periods.

In a wide variety of sewing machines, it is advantageous to make positive provision for the orientation of the movable needle of the stitching mechanisms relative to the work at the end of a stitching period or interval. For example, in the operation of a sewing machine it is important to position the movable needle in a retracted or clearance position relative to the work to facilitate the unloading and reloading of the machine, and preparatory to changing the direction of sewing it is desired to have the needle penetrated through the work for rotation of the work about the axis of t-he needle. There are various commercially available needle-positioning units which may be built into such sewing machines or attached thereto for orienting the needle in relation to the work. However, such units are comparatively complicated in construction and therefore relatively expensive, both with respect to the initial cost and expenses attendant to installation and servicing. There exists a need for a relatively simple, rugged and comparatively low cost unit which may be readily combined with a conventional sewing machine .and which is easily adjusted to establish one or more oriented positions for the needle of the stitching mechanisms relative to the work at the end of successive stitching periods or interv-als.

Broadly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a needle positioner which realizes one or more of the aforesaid objectives. Specifically, it is within the contemplation of the present invention to provide an electromechanical needle-positioning unit which may be readily combined with a conventional sewing machine, and which is capable of establishing the required oriented positions of the needle relative to the work under control of the machine operator.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a needle positioner which is operable only during intervals between stitching periods thereby obviating any possibility of malfunction due to inadvertent operation of the needle positioner during the main sewing operation.

In accordance with an illustrative embodiment demonstrating objects and features of the present invention, there is provided a sewing machine which includes stitching mechanisms having a needle which enters and is withdrawn from the work during successive stitching cycles. The machine has .a main drive coupled to the stitching mechanisms and includes 'a driven member as an integr-al part of its mechanisms for drivin-g the stitching mechanisms. A needle positioner is operatively connected to the stitching mechanisms and the driven member of the main drive is also an integral part of the needle positioner mechanisms for driving the stitching mechanisms. Located at the input to this common driven member of the main drive land of the needle positioner is switching means which permits the operation of the driven member only for the main drive or for the needle positioner, but not both. Thus, malfunction due to simultaneous operation of of the main drive producing sewing and of the needle positioner is obviated.

The needle positioner also includes two auxiliary driven 3,382,829 Patented May 14, 1968 ICC means in the form of tracks on its driven member which corresponds to the number of required oriented positions of the needle relative tothe work being sewn. Additionally, the needle positioner is provided with an auxiliary driving member which is movable into a position adjacent to one of said Iauxiliary driven means and into and out of driving relation to said auxiliary driven means t0 cooperate therewith to provide 'an oriented position of said needle relative to said work. One of the auxiliary driven means or tracks is appropriately indexed to provide a raised needle position preparatory to removal of the work from the sewing machine, and the other auxiliary driven means appropriately indexed to provide a d-own or work-penetrating needle position permitting rotation of the work about the axis of the needle preparatory to changing the direction of sewing.

The above brief description, as well as further objects, features and advantages of the present invention, will be more fully appreciated by reference to the following detailed description of presently preferred, but nonetheless illustrative embodiments in accordance with the present invention, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a needle positioner demonstrating features of the present invention in combination with a sewing machine, portions of the illustrated parts thereof being broken away;

FIG. 2 is an elevational view, on an enlarged scale, and in section taken on lines 2 2` of FIG. 3, illustrating a portion of the main drive of the sewing machine and a main circuit switch for the electrical control of the needle positioner;

FIG. 3 is an end elevational view projected from FIG. l, on the same enlarged scale, and illustrating details of construction of the needle positioner;

FIG. 4 is an elevational view similar to FIG. 2, in section taken on lines 4 4 of FIG. 3, illustrating further details of construction of the needle positioner;

FIG. 5 is an end elevational view similar to FIG. 3, in section taken on lines 5-5 of FIG. 4, and illustrating details of construction of the driving and driven members of said needle positioner;

FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram of the electrical control incorporated in the needle positioner hereof, including a diagrammatic showing of the parts thereof directly effecting said control;

FIG. 7 is an elevational view similar to FIGS. 2 and 4, but of another embodiment of a needle positioner; and

FIG. 8 is a circuit ydiagram similar to FIG. 6, but of the electrical control for the needle positioner of FIG. 7.

Having reference first to FIG. l, there is shown therein a conventional sewing machine 10 having a casing 12 housing a sewing head 14 on one end thereof which includes mechanisms for reciprocating a sewing needle 16. As is generally understood, needle reciprocation is produced by a main shaft 18 journalled for rotation in the casing 12 and driven in rotation by a main motor 20; the machine 10 and motor 20 being advantageously respectively mounted above and below a table 22 and the drive therebetween achieved through a suitable opening in the table 22.

More particularly, the motor 26 is suspended from a suitable bracket 24 from the underside of the table 22 and, at one end, through a clutch or similar power transfer device 25, powers a drive shaft 26 journalled for rotation in an end housing 28. Power transfer is advantageously controlled in response to movements of the usual sewing machine foot treadle (not shown), the movements of which are in turn transmitted through a lever 30 engaging an external extension of a power transfer shaft 32 to selectively operate the shaft 26 in rotation. Mounted on the end of the shaft 26 is a pulley 34 aligned with a shaft-mounted pulley 36 located above the table 22 adjacent the sewing machine 10. A conventional endless pulley belt 38 is extended through an opening in the table 22 and is trained about the pulleys 34, 36 to provide rotation of these pulleys in unison. In a manner now to be described, this rotation is transmitted through a second pulley belt 40 to a pulley 42 mounted on an end of the main shaft 18 of the machine 10 to operate this shaft and achieve vertical reciprocation of the sewing needle 16.

Referring to FIG. 2, it will be seen that the shaft mounting pulley 36, designated 44, is horizontally disposed through a driven member 46 formed as an integral part of the sewing machine main drive and is mounted on the table 22 to the right of the sewing machine 10 (see FIG. 1). More particularly, driven member 46 receives the shaft 44 through a sleeve section 48 thereof which is rotatably mounted in spaced bearings 50, 51 in an upright support 52 of the table 22. Adjacent pulley 36 is another pulley 54 about which the belt 40 is trained for driving pulley 42 and thus the sewing machine 10; pulley 54 being mounted and secured on the sleeve 48 by radial locking screws 56 through a hub 58 of the pulley. Disposed on the end of the sleeve 48 and rotatable therewith is a drum 60 including a radial wall 60a, a rim 60h, and a pair of spaced rim extensions or tracks 62, 64. The pulley shaft 44 extends beyond the drum wall 60a and has mounted on its extending end a clutch 66 for making a driving connection between the shaft 44 and drum 60, and f thus completing the power transmission from the main motor 20 through the belts 38 and 40 to the sewing machine 10.

By a comparison of FIGS. 2 and 5, it is best seen that the clutch 66 includes a pair of clutch blocks 68 which under the urgency of springs 70 are normally in the position depicted in FIG. 2 closed about the shaft end 44a. Upon rotation at an appropriate speed of the shaft 44, however, the blocks 68 slidably mounted by pins 72 disposed through slots 74 therein are rotated on a rod 78 xed at 76 to the shaft 44 and thus the blocks 68 move `outwardly under the urgency of centrifugal force on the rod 78 to make a driving connection between a frictionsurfaced material 80 on the periphery of each block 68 and the underside ofthe drum rim 681;. This is effective to cause rotation in unison of the pulleys 36, 54 during usual operation of the sewing machine 10. However, when sewing is discontinued, as for example by movement of the usual foot treadle control and its lever 30 disengaging the pulley 34 from its driving connection to the motor 20, the

resulting FIG. 2 position of the clutch 66 will naturally result in disruption of power transmission to the sewing machine 10 and stoppage of the needle 16, either in a position through the work being sewn or a position removed therefrom, whichever by chance is the position of the needle 16 at the time that sewing is discontinued.

To achieve a known position of the needle 16 relative to the work, which may require further operation of the sewing machine 10 and movement of the needle 16, is the function of the needle positioner herein generally designated 81. To insure that it functions only after the discontinuation of sewing, the needle positioner 81 includes in its electrical circuit a main circuit switch 82 mounted by bolts 83 in a bracket 84 on the table 22 and operated by the clutch 66 when it assumes its FIG. 2 position. More particularly, there is interposed between the clutch blocks 68 a sliding block 85 which is cammed by the inclined cam surfaces 86 of each olf of the pulley shaft end 44a to actuate the switch arm 82a of the switch 82. When the blocks 68 open during rotation of the shaft 44 at an appropriate speed, however, the side block 85, aided somewhat by the switch spring 90, closes on the shaft end 44a and the switch 82 opens to render the needle positioner 81 inoperative during this period of usual operation of the sewing machine 10.

Returning again to the assumed condition of discontinuance of sewing and the required operation at this time of the needle positioner 81, as best seen in FIGS. l, 3 and 5 there is mounted on the table 22 in front of the main sewing machine drive arrangement of FIG. 2 an auxiliary motor 92 and means for independently driving the driven member 60 in rotation in order to move the needle 16 into a known oriented position relative to the work being sewn. A U-shaped bracket 94 mounts the motor 92 and, under the urgency of springs 96 a friction drive is established between a disc 98 on the motor shaft 100 and a disc 102 xed on a shaft 104 rotatably mounted between the two vertical legs 94a, 94b of the bracket 94. As best shown in FIG. 4, keyed as at 106 for rotation with the shaft 104 is a slidable member 108 having a driving member 110 adapted to selectively engage in a peripheral groove 110a, one or the other of the two tracks 62, 64 of the needle positioner driven member 60. Formed on the member 108 adjacent the driving member 110 are spaced radial extensions 112 straddling a roller 114 on a lever 116 pivotally connected, as at 118, at one end to a. horizontal extension 120 on the large vertical leg 94a. At its opposite end, the lever 116 is connected to a plunger rod 122 of a solenoid switch 124 and also to a biasing spring 126 which is effective to normally maintain the FIG. 4 position of the lever 116 and thus the position of the driving member 110 adjacent the track 64. However, upon operation of the solenoid switch 124 the plunger 124a thereof is withdrawn within the body of the switch and through the rod 122 the driving member 110 is moved axially along the shaft 104 opposite the other track 62, all as is subsequently set forth in greater detail herein.

Referring specically to FIG. 5, it will be better seen that the horizontal leg 94e of the bracket 94 is pivotally mounted in a block 128 on the table 22 and that the driving member 110 is normally clear of the driven member 60. This is to permit unimpeded alignment of the member 110 adjacent one or the other of the two tracks 62, 64 on the member 60. Following this, the drive between the members 110, 60 is established by pivotal movement of the bracket 94 about the axis of the leg 94C thereof. To this end, the leg 94a of the bracket 94 has another solenoid switch plunger rod 130 disposed through another horizontal extension 132 (see FIG. 4) pivotally mounted at one end as at 133 to it and retained against a stop 134 by a spring 136 seated at its other end against a stop 138. The bracket leg 94C also mounts an L-shaped bracket 140 which actually holds the auxiliary motor 92.

Still referring to FIG. 5, it will be seen that the lever 116 is actually a U-shaped configuration and that the solenoid plunger rod 122 is pinned between the lower portions of its two arms 116a, 11612, and that the extension 120 is similarly pinned between the upper portions of these arms. Additionally, a link 141 is pivoted, at 142, to the extension 120 and at its other end, at 144, to a brake shoe 146. On full pivotal movement of the bracket 94 the brake shoe 146 is cammed by a cam surface 148 of a frame block 150 of the positioner 81 against the drum rim or wall 60b to stop rotation of the driven member 60. At the same time that the brake shoe 146 is applied, the switch arm 152a Of still another switch 152 is adapted to be actuated by contact with the uppermost end of the large vertical bracket leg 94b to deenergize or open the electrical circuit of the auxiliary motor 92. As best illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 5, standing upright on the table 22 behind the drum 60 is a support post 151 for supporting the frame block 150 and also the switch 152; the block 150 being pivotally mounted on a cylindrical bar 153 on the post 151 and the switch 152 being supported on an L-shaped bracket 155 connected to the block 150.

It will be particularly noted that to establish driving contact between the driving member 110 and the periphery of either one of the tracks 62, 64 of the driven member drum 60 involves only a lpartial pivotal movement of the bracket 94, and that a full movement or traverse of the bracket occurs only when a cut-out 62a, 64a in these respective tracks is encountered. More particularly, the cutout 64a in the track 64 is provided at a location therein to provide a raised position in the needle 16 relative to the work, and the cut-out 62a in the track 62 in a diametrically opposite position to provide a needle position through the work. As is generally understood, a raised position of the needle 16 is desired preparatory to removing the work from the sewing machine 10, and a down needle position through the work is desired for rotating the work about the axis of the needle preparatory to changing the direction of sewing.

Operation of the needle positioner 81 is best explained in connection with the circuit diagram of FIG. 6 to which reference is now made. Let it be assumed that the main sewing operation is discontinued and that it is desired to remove the work being sewn from the sewing machine 10 requiring a raised needle position. Let it further be assumed that the needle 16 is in a position of penetration through the work preventing removal of the work. As shown in FIG. 6, the electrical circuit generally designated 154 includes main power lines 156, 158 respectively connected, as at 160, across an appropriate power source. Line 156 advantageously includes a hand-operated switch 161 which is shown open in FIG. 6, but which will now be assumed to be closed. To move the needle 16 to its raised position the operator actuates the left knee-press 162 to in turn actuate the switch 164 associated with this knee-press and which is mounted on the underside of table 22 in the path of movement of the knee-press 162 (see FIG, 1). In

the electrical circuit 154 the switch 164 is incorporated in a line 166 connected across the main power lines 156, 158 and including the series connected switch 82 Iand the coil winding 167a of the solenoid switch 167. Since under the assumed conditions, the main sewing operation is discontinued, it follows that the sliding block 85 is cammed into a position actuating the switch arm 88 into a position closingthe switch 82 and that the coil 167a is energized to withdraw the plunger 167 b. Thus, rod 130 connected to the plunger 167b is moved in a direction pivoting the bracket 94 toward the driven member 60 and more particularly brings the driving member 110 againt the track 64 of the driven member 60. Connected in parallel to the line 166 is a line 168 having the auxiliary motor 92 and the normal- 1y closed switch 152 connected in series so that at this time the auxiliary motor 92 is energized and is driving the -member 110 in rotation. The driving relationship established by the contact of the driving member 110 against the track 64 results in rotation of the driven member 68 until the cut-out 64a in the track 64 is encountered, which as previously mentioned is indexed or located along the periphery of the tra-ck 64 to provide a raised oriented position of the needle 16 relative to the work. Upon encountering the cutout 64a the driving member 110 enters said cut-out, and the bracket 94 then attains its full pivotal position in which the ybrake shoe 1416 is calm-med against the drum wall 60b to stop rotation of the driven member 60 and also the upper end of the large vertical leg 94a of the bracket 94 contacts the switch arm 152a of the switch 152 to open the motor circuit line 168 and cease operation of the motor.

Still referring to FIG. 6, and again assuming discontinuation of the main sewing operation, let it be assumed that it is now -desired to change the direction of sew-ing which requires a work-penetrating or down needle position, and that the needle 16 is in a raised position. In this instance, the operator actuates the right knee-press 170 which in turn actuates the switch 172 mounted in the path of movement thereof yand also on the underside of the table 22. A-s shown in FIG. l, lboth the left and right knee-presses 162, 170 are respectively pivotally mounted, as at 174 to the table 22 and to prevent inadvertent simultaneous actuation of the switches 16-4, 172 these knee-presses .are provided with a cross bar 176 which prevents simultaneous outward movement of the knee-presses 162, 170. Actuation of the right knee-press 170 closes the switch 172 in the line 158 completing this circuit (again assuming the switch 161 is closed) .and energizing the coil 124:1 of the solenoid switch 124 incorporated in this circuit. This is eective to withdraw the solenoid plunger 124b within the body of the solenoid switch 124 and cause pivotal movement of the lever 116 in a direction causing axial movement of the slidable member 108 in the direction (designated A in FIG. 6) along the shaft 104 to position the driving member 110 adjacent the track 62 of the driven member 60. As best seen in FIG. 4, during the terminal portion of travel of this axial movement an extension 178 bolted on the solenoid plunger 124b contacts an actuating arm 180a of a switch mounted on the solenoid 124 and closes the switch 180. This completes the circuit of the line 166 through a line 182 which by-passes the open left knee-press switch 164 and through the closed switch 180 is connected directly to the main power line 158. Thereafter the operation of the needle positioner 81 as effected by its electrical control 154 proceeds in the step-by-step sequence already described in connection with achieving the raised oriented position of the needle 16. That is, solenoid switch 167 is effective to pivot the driving member 110 in driving engagement against the driven member 60, but this time against the track 62 thereof, and simultaneously the auxiliary motor 92 is energized to drive the driving member 110 in rotation. Rotation of the driven member 60 will occur until the cut-out 62a is encountered in the track 62, which is designed to occur at a point of rotation of the driven member 6) and thus of the main shaft 18 of the sewing machine 10, to produce a down or work-penetrating position of the needle 16. As` this point the driving member 110 will enter the cut-out 62a causing the application of the brake shoe 146 against drum wall 6011 of the drum of the driven member 68 and also the opening of the switch 152 breaking the motor circuit 168 both of which is effective to stop rotation of the driven member 6i).

Reference is now made to FIGS. 7, 8 in which there is shown another embodiment of a needle positioner demonstrating features of the present invention and which is particularly intended for use with a blind stitch sewing machine. As is generally understood, in the operation of a blind stitch sewing machine the sewing needle thereof is laterally recprocated into and out of engagement with the work being sewn, and there is only one oriented position of the needle that is required relative to the work. This oriented position is that in which the needle is wilhdrawn from the work preparatory to removal of the work from the sewing machine. This needle positioner embodiment and also its electrical control function in all major aspects similar to the embodiment previously described, and thus the corresponding parts of each are designated by the same but primed reference numerals. Referring tirst to FIG. 7, it will be seen that the needle positioner 81' shown therein is similar in all major respects to the previously described needle positioner 81 except that consistent with providing only a single oriented position of the sewing needle, the driven member 60' of the needle positioner 81' has only a single track 64'. Also the driving member 110 is permanently located adjacent the track 64', and pivotal movement of the U-shaped bracket 94 mounting the driving member 110' is effective to establish a driving relationship between the driving and driven members 110', 60. The circuit diagram of the electrical control 154 of the needle positioner 81' as is clearly shown in FIG. 8 is similar in all major respects to that previously described and includes, in particular, a line 166 including the coil winding 167e' of the solenoid switch 167', the switch 82 under the control of the sliding block 84 of the clutch 66', and the single knee-press 162 and its associated normally opened switch 164. Assuming that the main sewing operation is not in progress and that the switch 82 is therefore closed, actuation of the knee-press 162 and the closing of its associated switch 164 completes the electrical circuit through the circuit line 166 and is effective to cause withdrawal of the solenoid plunger 167b' to establish the driving relationship between the driving member 110' and the driven member 60. In the manner previously described, rotation of the driven member 60' provides the oriented position of the needle 16 in a position removed from the work being sewn.

Advantageously incorporated in the modied circuit 154' of this embodiment is a parallel tap-off line 157' which is energized when the motor switch 152 is opened at the end of the operation of the needle positioner 8'1 and at a time when the removal of the needle from the work is completed. Although not shown, a thread cutter or other similar mechanism which should be operative at this time may advantageously be connected across the the tap-off line 157 and the main circuit line 156' at the terminals 159 thereof.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that each of the embodiments of the needle positioner hereof is of an exceptionally basic construction and does not involve the utilization of commutators, brush pick-ups separate low voltage circuits and the like, with the attendant dificulties usually encountered with such more sophisticated circuitry as exemplified by the prior art devices. Rather, the present invention employs electrical and mechanical components which are relatively simple and rugged thereby enabling the construction of a needle positioning unit of comparatively low unit cost and suitable for mass production manufacture and use over long periods of time, with minimum expense for servicing, replacement of worn parts and the like. Moreover, a noteworthy constructional feature of the needle positioner is the incorporation of a driven member both in the main drive of the sewing machine and also in the drive of the needle positioner which in conjunction with switching means eliminates the possibility of any malfunction due to inadvertent actuation of the needle positioner during sewing operation of the sewing machine.

A latitude of modification, change and substitution is intended in the foregoing disclosure and in some instances some features of the invention will be employed without a corresponding use of other features. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the spirit and scope of the invention herein.

What is claimed is:

1. In a sewing machine, stitching mechanisms having a needle which enters and is withdrawn from work during successive stitching cycles, a main drive operatively connected to normally power said stitching mechanisms including a driving means and a driven member selectively coupled in driving relation to each other only during operation of said driving means above a predetermined low rotational speed, a manually operated control, and a needle positioner operatively connected to alternatively drive said driven member to power said stitching mechanisms during said low speed of rotation of said driving means of said main drive for moving said needle into a predetermined number of oriented needle positions relative to said work, said needle positioner including plural auxiliary driven means on said driven member of said main drive in a number corresponding to said predetermined number of oriented needle positions, an auxiliary drive including an auxiliary driving member movable into a position adjacent to one of said auxiliary driven means and into and out of driving relation to said auxiliary driven means, said auxiliary driving member and said auxiliary driven means cooperating in one position relative to each other to establish an oriented needle position -for said needle, and means responsive to said predetermined low speed of rotation of said driving means of said main drive and to actuation of said manually operated control for moving said auxiliary driving member into a position adjacent one of said auxiliary driven means and into driving relation therewith.

2. In a sewing machine, stitching mechanisms having a needle which enters and is withdrawn from work during successive stitching cycles, a main drive `operatively connected to normally power said stitching mechanisms including a driving means and a drive member selectively coupled in driving relation to each other only during operation of said driving means above a. predeterminedxlow rotational speed, a movable control, a needle positioner operatively connected to alternatively drive said driven member to power said stitching mechanisms duringsaid low speed of rotation of said driving means of said main drive for moving said needle into a predetermined number of oriented needle positions relative to said work, said needle positioner including plural auxiliary driven means on said driven member of Isaid main drive in a number corresponding to said predetermined number of oriented needle positions, an auxiliary drive including an auxiliary driving member movable into a position adjacent to one of said auxiliary driven means and into and out of driving relation to said auxiliary driven means, said auxiliary driving member and said auxiliary driven means cooperating in one position relative to each other to establish an oriented needle position for said needle, and means responsive to said predetermined low speed of rotation of said driving means of said main drive and to movement of said movable control for moving said auxiliary driving member into a position adjacent one of said auxiliary driven means and into driving relation therewith.

3. In a sewing machine, stitching mechanisms having a needle which enters and is withdrawn from work during successive stitching cycles, a main drive operatively connected to normally power said stitching mechanisms including a driving means and a driven member selectively coupled in driving relation to each other only during operation of said driving means above a predetermined low rotational speed, a movable control, a needle positioner operatively connected to alternatively drive said driven member to power said stitching mechanisms during said low speed of rotation of said driving means of said main drive for moving said needle into a predetermined number of oriented needle positions relative to said work, said needle positioner including an auxiliary motor, an electrical circuit for said auxiliary motor including normally open switching means therein which in response t0 said predetermined low speed of rotation of said driving means of said main drive closes to partially complete said electrical circuit preparatory to energizing said auxiliary motor, plural auxiliary driven means on said driven member of said main drive in a number corresponding to said predetermined number of oriented needle positions, an auxiliary driving member operatively connected to be driven by said auxiliary motor and movable into a position adjacent to one of said auxiliary `driven means and into and out of driving relation to said auxiliary driven means, said auxiliary driving member and said auxiliary driven means cooperating in one position relative to each other to establish an oriented needle position for said needle, and means responsive to movement of said movable control completing said electrical circuit of said auxiliary motor and causing movement of said auxiliary driving member into a position adjacent one of said auxiliary driven means and into driving relation therewith.

4. In a sewing machine, stitching mechanisms having a needle which enters and is Withdrawn from work during successive stitching cycles, a main drive operatively connected to normally power said stitching mechanisms including a driving means and a driven member selectively coupled in driving relation to each other only during operation of said driving means above a predetermined low rotational speed, a manually operated control, and a needle positioner operatively connected to alternatively drive said driven member to power said stitching mechanisms during said low speed of rotation of said driving means of said main drive for moving said needle into a predetermined number of oriented needle positions relative to said work, said needle positioner including plural auxiliary driven means on said driven member of said main drive in a number corresponding to said predetermined number of oriented needle positions, an auxiliary drive including an auxiliary driving member movable into a position adjacent to one of said auxiliary driven means and into and out of driving relation to said auxiliary driven means, said auxiliary driving member and said auxiliary driven means cooperating in one position relative to each other to estabilsh an oriented needle position for said needle, means responsive to said predetermined w speed of rotation of said driving means of said main drive and to actuation of said manually operated control for moving said auxiliary driving member into a position adjacent one of said auxiliary driven means and into driving relation therewith, a brake, means mounting said brake for movement into and out of braking position relative to said driven member of said main drive, and means responsive to movement of said auxiliary driving member and said auxiliary driven means into said one position relative to each other to move said brake into said braking position.

5. In a sewing machine, stitching mechanisms having a needle which enters and is withdrawn from work during successive stitching cycles, a main drive operatively connected to normally power said stitching mechanisms including a driving means and a driven member selectively coupled in driving relation to each other only during operation of said driving means above a predetermined low rotational speed, a movable control, a needle positioner operatively connected to alternatively drive said member to power said stitching mechanisms during said low speed of rotation of said driving means of said main drive for moving said needle to an oriented needle position relative to said work, said needle positioner including an auxiliary motor operable in response to said predetermined low speed of rotation of said driving means of said main drive and to movement of said movable control, an auxiliary driven means on said driven member of said main drive, an auxiliary driving member operatively connected to be driven by said auxiliary motor and movable into and out of driving relation to said auxiliary driven means, said auxiliary driving member and said auxiliary driven means cooperating in one position relative to each other to establish an oriented needle position for said needle, means responsive to movement of said movable control for moving said auxiliary driving member into driving relation to said auxiliary driven means, a brake, means mounting said brake for movement into and out of braking position relative to said driven member of said main drive, and means responsive to movement of said auxiliary driving member and said auxiliary driven means into said one position relative to each other to move said brake into said braking position.

6. In a sewing machine, stitching mechanisms having a needle which enters and is withdrawn from work during successive stitching cycles, a main drive operatively connected to normally power said stitching mechanisms including a driving means and a driven member selectively coupled in driving relation to each other only during operation of said driving means above a predetermined low rotational speed, a movable control, a needle positioner operatively connected to alternatively drive said driven member to power said stitching mechanisms during said low speed of rotation of said driving means of said main drive for moving said needle into a predetermined number of oriented needle positions relative to said work, said needle positioner including an auxiliary motor, an electrical circuit for said auxiliary motor including normally open switching means therein which in response to said predetermined low speed of rotation of said driving means of said main drive closes to partially complete said electrical circuit preparatory to energizing said auxiliary motor, plural auxiliary driven means on said driven member of said main drive in a number corresponding to said predetermined number of oriented needle positions, an auxiliary driving member operatively connected to be driven by said auxiliary motor and movable into a position adjacent to one of said auxiliary driven means and into and out of driving relation to said auxiliary driven means, said auxiliary driving member and said auxiliary driven means cooperating in one position relative to each other to establish an oriented needle position for said needle, means responsive to movement of said movable control completing said electrical circuit of said auxiliary motor and causing movement of said auxiliary driving member into a position adjacent one of said auxiliary driven means and into driving relation therewith, a brake, means mounting said brake for movement into and out of braking position relative to said driven member of said main drive, and means responsive to movement of said auxiliary driving member and said auxiliary driven means into said one position relative to each other to move said brake into said braking position.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,836,276 5/1948 Sch'wab et al 112--219 X 2,911,930 ll/1959 Taylor 112-219 3,195,488 7/1965 Winberg 112-219 JORDAN FRANKLIN, Primary Examiner.

H. HAMPTON HUNTER, Examiner. 

1. IN A SEWING MACHINE, STITCHING MECHANISMS HAVING A NEEDLE WHICH ENTERS AND IS WITHDRAWN FROM WORK DURING SUCCESSIVE STITCHING CYCLES, A MAIN DRIVE OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO NORMALLY POWER SAID STICHING MECHANISMS INCLUDING A DRIVING MEANS AND A DRIVEN MEMBER SELECTIVELY COUPLED IN DRIVING RELATION TO EACH OTHER ONLY DURING OPERATION OF SAID DRIVING MEANS ABOVE A PREDETERMINED LOW ROTATIONAL SPEED, A MANUALLY OPERATED CONTROL, AND A NEEDLE POSITIONER OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO ALTERNATIVELY DRIVE SAID DRIVEN MEMBER TO POWER SAID STITCHING MECHANISMS DURING SAID LOW SPEED OF ROTATION OF SAID DRIVING MEANS OF SAID MAIN DRIVE FOR MOVING SAID NEEDLE INTO A PREDETERMINED NUMBER OF ORIENTED NEEDLE POSITIONS RELATIVE TO SAID WORK, SAID NEEDLE POSITIONER INCLUDING PLURAL AUXILIARY DRIVEN MEANS ON SAID DRIVEN MEMBER OF SAID MAIN DRIVE IN A NUMBER CORRESPONDING TO SAID PREDETERMINED NUMBER OF ORIENTED NEEDLE POSITIONS, AN AUXILIARY DRIVE INCLUDING AN AUXILIARY DRIVING MEMBER MOVABLE INTO A POSITION ADJACENT TO ONE OF SAID AUXILIARY DRIVEN MEANS AND INTO AND OUT OF DRIVING RELATION TO SAID AUXILIARY DRIVEN MEANS, SAID AUXILIARY DRIVING MEMBER AND SAID AUXILIARY DRIVEN MEANS COOPERATING IN ONE POSITION RELATIVE TO EACH OTHER TO ESTABLISH AN ORIENTED NEEDLE POSITION FOR SAID NEEDLE, AND MEANS RESPONSIVE TO SAID PREDETERMINED LOW SPEED OF ROTATION OF SAID DRIVING MEANS OF SAID MAIN DRIVE AND TO ACTUATION OF SAID MANUALLY OPERATED CONTROL FOR MOVING SAID AUXILIARY DRIVING MEMBER INTO A POSITION ADJACENT ONE OF SAID AUXILIARY DRIVEN MEANS AND INTO DRIVING RELATION THEREWITH. 